The Rev. Jim Holley and other area religious leaders want to see something good rise out of the ugliness that further tarnished Detroit’s reputation last week when a motorist was severely beaten by a mob on the city’s east side.

On Thursday night, they hope to start a healing process with a prayer event not only for Steven Utash and other victims of violent crimes in Detroit, but for all of metro Detroit.

Detroit Mayor Mike Duggan, members of Utash’s family and area ministers are expected to attend a Night of Healing at 7 p.m. Thursday at Little Rock Baptist Church, 9000 Woodward Ave. in Detroit. Family members of other victims of recent violent crimes in Detroit are also expected to attend.

Holley, pastor of Little Rock, said a multiracial coalition of suburban and urban pastors is coming together “to pray for peace and healing for Mr. Utash and the entire metro Detroit community.” He said the coalition of Catholic, Jewish, Protestant and Baptist leaders will make a strong appeal to the community.

“We need to send a crystal clear statement to the world that the violent actions of a few individuals will not cast a cloud of negativity over our city,” Holley said in a news release Wednesday. “We are inviting everyone to participate to show support that this is a region of hope, peace and renewal.”

Later, Holley said there’s a consensus among pastors and community leaders that what happened to Utash shouldn’t be tolerated. He said he’s hopeful the event not only spurs discussion, but action.

“Somehow, we have to do something about these young people,” Holly said. “I felt we should start out with a healing service and from there, see what we can do about churches in our community opening up our facilitates to give them a bit more options than they have now.”

“Eighty-five percent of our churches are closed five days a week. Churches have resources and gyms and classrooms. What can we do with that? Those are the kinds of things we want to come out of this. What’s the practical thing we need to do?”

The prayer event is to include Deborah Hughes, a retired nurse who helped Utash after the beating. Family members of Courtney Meeks, a CVS security guard shot and killed in February while trying to help a woman being carjacked, also plans to attend, said Duggan spokeswoman Alexis Wiley.

Meeks’ mother, Camille Meeks, told the Free Press that “any opportunity I get to voice my concerns in the community and talk about what happened to my son is a good thing.

“It’s time for us to come together. Not just to talk, but to get some kind of strategy to stop and deter some of the violence that’s going on in the city.”

Meanwhile, police announced Wednesday that a fifth person was arrested in connection with the April 2 attack on Utash, 54, of Clinton Township, who remains in a medically induced coma. He has been hospitalized since being attacked after stopping to help a 10-year-old boy whom he hit with his pickup after the boy stepped into traffic on Morang.

Utash’s son Joe Utash, 24, said Tuesday that his father is healing, but doctors say he could be in the hospital for six months.

“The swelling of his eyes (is) going down,” Utash said, but “there are lumps all over his head, everywhere you look.”

He said the family is grateful for the more than $145,000 donated through an online account, but they expect more will be needed. It’s costing about $20,000 per day to continue care for his uninsured father, Utash said.

After learning of the fifth arrest, Utash, who lives in Clinton Township, said he is impressed with Detroit police.

Three people have been charged in the attack, and the Wayne County Prosecutor’s Office is determining whether to charge a 16-year-old, who is in custody, as an adult.

James D. Davis, 24; Wonzey Saffold, 30, and Bruce Wimbush Jr., 17, were arraigned in 36th District Court in Detroit on Tuesday on charges of assault with intent to murder and assault with intent to do great bodily harm less than murder.

All three are due back in court April 21.

Third New Hope Baptist Church pastor E. L. Branch is one of at least six ministers scheduled to speak at Thursday night’s prayer session. Branch said he plans to talk about ways to uplift the city.

“We must confess that these crimes happen far too often, but I think it’s important to say that it does not identify us,” Branch said. “There are so many other positive things that are not highlighted and talked about. This does not define Detroit. That kind of behavior certainly does not bespeak of the heart of this community. All cities across nation struggle with certain issues. It pales in light of the good things that are happening. The city is on the rise, and we have to make sure we are doing the sort of things that are in accord with that uplifting.”